Jul 25, 2012 - When the news of Ben Rothwell's injury was first reported, a lot of MMA fans asked, Why not have Matt Mitrione fight Travis Browne?

It's a valid question, especially since Mitrione was once scheduled to fight Rob Broughton at UFC on FOX 4 before visa issues forced Broughton off the card. In fact, the UFC recently asked Mitrione to step in on short notice to fight Browne, but he decided to turn the fight down. Here's why:

I have to respect that decision...i just don't think he can do that too often, the UFC needs people on occasion to step-up. Furthermore, they (Joe/Dana) promote those fighters that are willing to do so (even to their own detriment).

_______________________________________"In short, because this Order imposes intrusive government regulations that won’t work to solve a problem that doesn’t exist using legal authority the FCC doesn’t have, I dissent." - Ajit Pai on the FCC's Net Neutrality order.

Because it would be an embarrassing defeat and his second in a row dropping his stock even further.

Yeah...it's definitely a tough choice to make - you can be lauded by Dana for being a guy that just wants to be a "f-ing fighter", and get lots of fights, but there's no guarantee that you'll get a pass if you lose a bunch.

_______________________________________"In short, because this Order imposes intrusive government regulations that won’t work to solve a problem that doesn’t exist using legal authority the FCC doesn’t have, I dissent." - Ajit Pai on the FCC's Net Neutrality order.

Because it would be an embarrassing defeat and his second in a row dropping his stock even further.

Yeah...it's definitely a tough choice to make - you can be lauded by Dana for being a guy that just wants to be a "f-ing fighter", and get lots of fights, but there's no guarantee that you'll get a pass if you lose a bunch.

Yeah you're right even losing a bunch of exciting fights doesn't keep you around, Matt had to have considered this, win a big fight against the odds or have a better chance at keeping your UFC career, I don't hate the guy for turning down Browne on short notice, guys a beast.

I don't think you have much to worry about when not agreeing to step in on late notice when you're at a camp like Roufusport. It's the guys training at smaller gyms with less or no UFC fighters that have the pressure there.

_______________________________________If I was 50 years younger I'd kick your ass!

I can understand where he's coming from but there are guys who also keep in shape just for the simple reason an opportunity like this pops up. Donald Cerrone and Carlos Condit come to mind.

Condit? Really? He is purposely sitting out 10 months when an opportunity to fight Kampmann or Hendricks was right there for the taking.

Bubs Condit was actually going to fight Diaz again but when he got suspended he opted to waited for GSP and you can't really blame him he manage to squeek by Nick the first time and they were told that the winner would get a shot at GSP.

I don't hold it against anyone for wanting to fight the best when you have earned it